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Deadheads
Not yet published
Expected 11 Feb 26A struggling musician travels to Los Angeles with his band to pursue a potentially life-changing opportunity.
In the summer of 1977, Tom Hargrove loves his girlfriend Patty, the Grateful Dead, and playing bass with his band, The Hermits. Living in Newark, New Jersey, the lights of New York City just a river away, he's desperate for a change. There's a glimmer of hope when The Hermits are invited to LA for a once in a lifetime audition; at stake is more money than any of them have seen in their lives. Once in California, things are hardly idyllic. Tom's chance encounter with megastar Denise Peck could be their lucky break. As her interest grows, their connection threatens to unravel everything.
In the summer of 1977, Tom Hargrove loves his girlfriend Patty, the Grateful Dead, and playing bass with his band, The Hermits. Living in Newark, New Jersey, the lights of New York City just a river away, he's desperate for a change. There's a glimmer of hope when The Hermits are invited to LA for a once in a lifetime audition; at stake is more money than any of them have seen in their lives. Once in California, things are hardly idyllic. Tom's chance encounter with megastar Denise Peck could be their lucky break. As her interest grows, their connection threatens to unravel everything.
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Expected publication February 11, 2026
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About the author
Eleanor Wells
11 books16 followersEleanor Wells is a writer, filmmaker, and actress, born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She graduated from Emerson College in 2017 with a BA in Media Arts Production and resides in Los Angeles, California.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 29, 2026
3.5 rounded up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the eARC, I had so much fun with this!
This story follows Tom Hargrove, a musician trying to make it big while still getting everything right in his personal life. But, even in real life, that’s never attainable. Touching on topics of addiction, domestic violence, and depression, Wells really wove a great tale.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick, wholesome, Almost Famous/Daisy Jones type of story that really scratched that music fiction itch I’ve been having. Centering around the 70’s and the Grateful Dead’s peak moments, Eleanor Wells did a great job of capturing the music scene at that time.
That being said, this did not destroy me emotionally and that’s why it isn’t 4 or 5 stars. I would have loved more expansion between major plot points! Digging into this novel a little more, I learned this is a prequel of sorts and is meant to give a quick background. SOOOO, I will be reading the other two that are out. Expeditiously.
If you saw 3.5 stars and expected a negative review, sorry to be the bearer of bad news! I am so thankful my friend suggested I apply for this ARC. She was right. This was very much up my alley.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the eARC, I had so much fun with this!
This story follows Tom Hargrove, a musician trying to make it big while still getting everything right in his personal life. But, even in real life, that’s never attainable. Touching on topics of addiction, domestic violence, and depression, Wells really wove a great tale.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick, wholesome, Almost Famous/Daisy Jones type of story that really scratched that music fiction itch I’ve been having. Centering around the 70’s and the Grateful Dead’s peak moments, Eleanor Wells did a great job of capturing the music scene at that time.
That being said, this did not destroy me emotionally and that’s why it isn’t 4 or 5 stars. I would have loved more expansion between major plot points! Digging into this novel a little more, I learned this is a prequel of sorts and is meant to give a quick background. SOOOO, I will be reading the other two that are out. Expeditiously.
If you saw 3.5 stars and expected a negative review, sorry to be the bearer of bad news! I am so thankful my friend suggested I apply for this ARC. She was right. This was very much up my alley.
January 17, 2026
This was a simple and heartwarming story about Tom, a struggling musician who formed a band called The Hermits. The story is set against the backdrop of The Grateful Dead and explores themes of friendship, love and addiction.
I found this book to be quite easy to read, and while I maintained my interest in the storyline, it did feel a bit melodramatic at times. The author also included a lot of topics that sometimes felt a bit over the top and predictable.
If you’re a music lover who enjoyed Daisy Jones & The Six, you’ll likely enjoy this book as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I found this book to be quite easy to read, and while I maintained my interest in the storyline, it did feel a bit melodramatic at times. The author also included a lot of topics that sometimes felt a bit over the top and predictable.
If you’re a music lover who enjoyed Daisy Jones & The Six, you’ll likely enjoy this book as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Deadheads is a novella which serves as a prequel of sorts to events in the Velvet Records series, a sort of dynastic saga about a rock band's formation, tribulations, and survival. The protagonist, a bassist named Tom Hargrove, finds himself thrust into the tumultuous world of music celebrity where he struggles to reconcile a life he desires against the possibilities of fame and fortune.
Having read Ms. Wells' other work, I can safely say that she is one of the few authors I've encountered who writes with something that I feel is in short supply: sincerity. There's an earnest sincerity to her work that makes reading it a pleasure. I don't normally read literary fiction but this struck me in how grounded and down-to-earth it feels. Tom isn't some kind of phenom or lady's man, he's just a regular decent man who struggles with very real problems that anyone in his situation would. Indeed, all the characters feel like this. They're all just people dealing with people problems. Without spoiling anything, I found the story's ultimate conclusions and statements about fame and art and finding fulfillment in one's life to be poignant and relatable. It's the simple truths of life that you learn only after going through the wringer: Home is where the heart is, but home is where you choose to make it. And you can find your home in people you care about and who care about you in return.
I liken reading this book to a very well executed indie drama: Not trying to wow you or blow your mind, just very well done in what it wants to be. I feel like in this hyper-accelerated world where everything is both trying to be the Biggest Thing Ever but also so divorced from reality that seeing work like this reminds me of why I like writing in general.
To quote the Shaker song "Simple Gifts":
'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where I ought to be;
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed;
to turn, turn, will be my delight.
Till by turning, turning we come round right
'Tis the simplest things that matter the most, truly.
Having read Ms. Wells' other work, I can safely say that she is one of the few authors I've encountered who writes with something that I feel is in short supply: sincerity. There's an earnest sincerity to her work that makes reading it a pleasure. I don't normally read literary fiction but this struck me in how grounded and down-to-earth it feels. Tom isn't some kind of phenom or lady's man, he's just a regular decent man who struggles with very real problems that anyone in his situation would. Indeed, all the characters feel like this. They're all just people dealing with people problems. Without spoiling anything, I found the story's ultimate conclusions and statements about fame and art and finding fulfillment in one's life to be poignant and relatable. It's the simple truths of life that you learn only after going through the wringer: Home is where the heart is, but home is where you choose to make it. And you can find your home in people you care about and who care about you in return.
I liken reading this book to a very well executed indie drama: Not trying to wow you or blow your mind, just very well done in what it wants to be. I feel like in this hyper-accelerated world where everything is both trying to be the Biggest Thing Ever but also so divorced from reality that seeing work like this reminds me of why I like writing in general.
To quote the Shaker song "Simple Gifts":
'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where I ought to be;
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed;
to turn, turn, will be my delight.
Till by turning, turning we come round right
'Tis the simplest things that matter the most, truly.
Review of advance copy received from Author
For sake of fairness, I did receive the audiobook for free. I have purchased her other works directly from her (Fairytale and All of Our Yesterdays).
I did not read it but listened to the Advanced Listener Audiobook version performed by Luke Welland, which truly adds to how well his mind both rambles and flows. I highly recommend the audiobook!
Wells' is a master in authentic voice and characters, and thus why I chose that word to tag it with. And through that sensibility we follow Tom Hargrove, a bit of a disaster cast in his own coming into adulthood during a five month nightmare trip to California for an audition. There he comes across the tragic character of Denise Peck, a sex icon, and although that is not the focus it's what the world focuses in on her.
What makes this story strong is that sensibility; he cannot save Denise, and if he tried to be with her it would be both a deservice to her (as he has no support structure) and using her as a way to cope with the survivor's guilt of losing his best friend to Vietnam. It's the fairytale they cannot make because that's not how life works, and the messiness of their situation is a struggle that will forever define at least him.
Denise, although her presence is sparse, is the strongest element of her story--and there is no exaggeration that chapter 12 made me cry. I came out of this loving Denise, despite her messiness, and wanting to save her just as the protagonist does but there is nothing that can be done.
It does take a while for that part to truly become apparent (chapter 12), it is well worth your patience and love for her stories. I can assure you, it pays off.
I did not read it but listened to the Advanced Listener Audiobook version performed by Luke Welland, which truly adds to how well his mind both rambles and flows. I highly recommend the audiobook!
Wells' is a master in authentic voice and characters, and thus why I chose that word to tag it with. And through that sensibility we follow Tom Hargrove, a bit of a disaster cast in his own coming into adulthood during a five month nightmare trip to California for an audition. There he comes across the tragic character of Denise Peck, a sex icon, and although that is not the focus it's what the world focuses in on her.
What makes this story strong is that sensibility; he cannot save Denise, and if he tried to be with her it would be both a deservice to her (as he has no support structure) and using her as a way to cope with the survivor's guilt of losing his best friend to Vietnam. It's the fairytale they cannot make because that's not how life works, and the messiness of their situation is a struggle that will forever define at least him.
Denise, although her presence is sparse, is the strongest element of her story--and there is no exaggeration that chapter 12 made me cry. I came out of this loving Denise, despite her messiness, and wanting to save her just as the protagonist does but there is nothing that can be done.
It does take a while for that part to truly become apparent (chapter 12), it is well worth your patience and love for her stories. I can assure you, it pays off.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5/5
In the mood for something like Daisy Jones and the Sixth or The Future Saints, you are going to love Deadheads.
Following a band in the 70s as they struggle to make it big in Hollywood. You get the nitty-gritty of the 70s with the drugs and music culture. Lots of references to The Grateful Dead. A small look at the music industry and Hollywood in the 70s. On top of all of this, there is some relationship drama between the main character and the band. The main character has a life back home that he is struggling to keep in the frame when he is in LA.
All emotions will be felt in this book. The main character, Tom, will be the stem of that. You sympathize with him at first, but as the story continues, his decisions lead him to reap what he sows. He is a good, tragic real character, and a lot of these characters felt very real with their emotions and problems.
This is a really quick read. The story spans over a few months and is really paced nicely to keep the story going, but not feel like there are huge time jumps.
Thank you, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for the ARC for this review.
In the mood for something like Daisy Jones and the Sixth or The Future Saints, you are going to love Deadheads.
Following a band in the 70s as they struggle to make it big in Hollywood. You get the nitty-gritty of the 70s with the drugs and music culture. Lots of references to The Grateful Dead. A small look at the music industry and Hollywood in the 70s. On top of all of this, there is some relationship drama between the main character and the band. The main character has a life back home that he is struggling to keep in the frame when he is in LA.
All emotions will be felt in this book. The main character, Tom, will be the stem of that. You sympathize with him at first, but as the story continues, his decisions lead him to reap what he sows. He is a good, tragic real character, and a lot of these characters felt very real with their emotions and problems.
This is a really quick read. The story spans over a few months and is really paced nicely to keep the story going, but not feel like there are huge time jumps.
Thank you, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for the ARC for this review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a sweet little story that planted the seed for more musical adventures in the series’ future.
Easy to read and easy to enjoy, deadheads is about the drive to create music, the bonds of found family and how both can get you through when you are at your lowest.
Easy to read and easy to enjoy, deadheads is about the drive to create music, the bonds of found family and how both can get you through when you are at your lowest.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Tom, our protagonist in Deadheads, is a compelling character to follow. He makes many mistakes, and even when you don’t agree with his actions, you still find yourself rooting for him, while also wanting him to face the consequences of his choices.
One of my favorite aspects of the Deadheads was the backstory involving Tom and Jack, which added important context and depth to Tom’s character.
From the side characters, Donna, Patty and Denise have developed and engaging personalities, and scenes with them made my eyes glued to the page for different reasons. In contrast, the other bandmates, Wally and Frank, could have benefited from more developed personalities, as they felt less distinct.
The book also tackles heavier topics in a respectful and thoughtful way. These moments add emotional weight to the story and helped me feel closer to the characters. There are several beautiful and deeply emotional scenes that really stand out. (I even cried at some points.)
Finally, I appreciated how the book portrayed many different kinds of relationships. The writing captures their complexity and makes them feel realistic and meaningful.
One of my favorite aspects of the Deadheads was the backstory involving Tom and Jack, which added important context and depth to Tom’s character.
From the side characters, Donna, Patty and Denise have developed and engaging personalities, and scenes with them made my eyes glued to the page for different reasons. In contrast, the other bandmates, Wally and Frank, could have benefited from more developed personalities, as they felt less distinct.
The book also tackles heavier topics in a respectful and thoughtful way. These moments add emotional weight to the story and helped me feel closer to the characters. There are several beautiful and deeply emotional scenes that really stand out. (I even cried at some points.)
Finally, I appreciated how the book portrayed many different kinds of relationships. The writing captures their complexity and makes them feel realistic and meaningful.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews